A new fuzzy-based supervisory control concept for the demand-responsive optimization of HVAC control systems

In many cases the user of multivariable control systems is interested in operating them in a demand- or event-responsive manner according to various, sometimes opposing performance criteria, e.g. within well isolated low-energy houses there is an increasing requirement to coordinate the control of heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVAC) in such a way that both economy and comfort criteria can be considered with a user-specific tradeoff. In order to find an online solution of this multiobjective process optimization problem, a new supervisory control concept has been developed at IITB. By means of a simple slide button the user is enable to choose his individual weighting factors for the economy and comfort criteria which are taken to optimize the reference commands of heating and ventilation controllers. The disturbing influence of external climate changes is considered as well as variations of the room occupancy. The performance of the fuzzy-based multiobjective optimization concept which has been implemented and is being trialled in a test environment at IITB is analyzed and discussed by means of practice-relevant simulation results